Chesapeake Bay Oyster Talks Coming Soon, Patapsco Valley State Park Hike Planned

MARYLAND — Oysters are an important part of a healthy Chesapeake Bay environment and economy. Two upcoming events will explain why. Plus, group hikes are planned for Patapsco Valley State Park, the C&O Canal and Seneca Creek State Park.

Patch recently partnered with several local organizations to bring you their latest news. This guest contribution comes from National Park Service Chesapeake Gateways and Chesapeake Conservancy. Here's what Jody Hedeman Couser submitted to help you explore the Chesapeake Bay:

"Ancient Oysters: Archaeology Can Help Clean the Bay

In modern times[,] efforts to get [oysters] a foot hold in the Upper Bay have been a struggle, but there is plenty of archeological evidence to suggest this was not always the case. Learn how American Indians fished the Bay for thousands of years in a virtual presentation at the Annapolis Maritime Museum. The Zoom webinar will address how Chesapeake environments and cultures have changed, and investigate a few archaeological clues about what we could do differently today. Feb. 3, 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm. $10 for non-members. More info and registration."

"Winter Oyster Webinar

The Oyster Recovery Partnership’s free winter webinar series will be discussing how oysters are being impacted by global climate change – and how they can potentially help mitigate climate change’s effects in the Chesapeake Bay. Hear directly from ORP’s Coastal Restoration Team how oyster restoration is accomplished in the Chesapeake, and learn everything from how restoration areas are identified to how monitoring is done when the reefs are completed. Feb. 9 and Mar. 2. More information and registration."

"Patapsco Valley SP Hike

Join the Sierra Club for a hike in PVSP from the swinging bridge to the Sawmill Branch Trail and Buzzards Rocks trails. This hike is approximately 3 miles. It has several steep sections and downed trees to cross over. There is a $2 fee per car to enter PVSP. Feb. 5, 10:00 am; Patapsco Valley State Park, Arbutus, MD. More information."

"Knock Knock: Winter Woodpecker Grand Slam

The Audubon Naturalist Society will lead this 3-mile round-trip walk along the C&O Canal’s towpath from Sycamore Landing ISO[. Seven] species of woodpeckers ... frequent our woodlands this time of year. Of course, any and all birds encountered along the way will also be of interest. This walk will move farther and at a faster pace than the Society’s usual bird walks. Members $30; nonmembers $42. Feb. 27, 8:30 am to 11:00 pm; C&O Canal National Historical Park, Poolesville, MD. More information and registration."

"Searching for Orchids Hike

Yes, there are over 50 species of native orchids in Maryland. Join Seneca Creek guides who will help you look for the two that are frequently found in the park during the winter, the puttyroot and cranefly orchids. The leafless trees ... allow orchids to produce leaves in winter; in summer the blooms are leafless. Cranefly is common in this area, but puttyroot is quite elusive. Learn more about the puttyroot (including a photo of its leaf) from the Virginia Native Plant Society. Once you know where they grow, you can return in the summer and look for the flowers. Jan. 30, 2:00 pm; Seneca Creek State Park, Gaithersburg, MD More information and registration."

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